2025 German Vázquez Rubio "Solista" SP/BL

This 2025 German Vázquez Rubio “Solista” is a classical guitar with a spruce top and Brazilian lacewood back and sides, made in Los Angeles, California – a concert model from one of Mexico’s most celebrated guitar makers.

The “Solista”: German’s Newest Concert Model

This is German’s most recent concert model to be developed. Called the “Solista”, it features his newest bracing system (which had previously only been used in his top, elite models). This bracing system fattens out the tone, particularly in the trebles, giving the guitar an overall warmer sound. It has been so well received in his elite models that he decided to introduce it in an instrument at a more modest price point while retaining the same high standard of sound.

Brazilian Lacewood Back and Sides

This particular guitar features a beautiful set of Brazilian lacewood for the back and sides, which is absolutely stunning. It’s also a very light material, which helps in the production of an easy and immediate attack, much like the responsiveness of a flamenco guitar. Normally for this model the back and sides are lacquered; however, for this particular guitar the entire instrument has been French polished.

Sound and Playability

The sound is very rich and warm, with lyrical trebles and creamy basses – a very elegant sound with ample volume for any concert setting. Playability is a breeze with a very smooth and comfortable neck.

All in, this is a very versatile and strong instrument by any standard.

German Vázquez Rubio: Early Years in Paracho, Mexico

German Vázquez Rubio (also known as G.V. Rubio) has been making guitars since 1968 – over fifty years – and has developed his own signature sound that guitarists have come to love. He was born in 1952 in Paracho, Mexico, where there is an abundance of fine luthiers (with few exceptions, all of the finest guitars in Mexico come from Paracho). German’s first formal training began at eleven years old, when he left school to help support his seven siblings and went to work in the workshop of his uncle, Manuel Rubio. There, even at his young age, he made a conscious effort to make guitar building his life’s work.

“Desde 1968”

In 1968, at the age of sixteen, he made his first concert-level guitar (hence his label reads “Desde 1968”). German has since been able to learn from many different master builders such as Félix Manzanero, José Romanillos and Thomas Humphrey. He now resides in Los Angeles, California, where he builds a variety of both classical and flamenco models. He is also the maker of the real-life guitar from the Disney/Pixar film Coco – you can read more in our article on German Vázquez Rubio and the real Coco guitar.

First Prize in Mexico

In 2000, German won First Place at the Concurso Nacional de Constructores y Ejecutantes de Guitarras, Mexico’s national guitar-making competition.